[CHAPTER XV.]
LEAVING BURMAH.—CAPTURING A SEA-SNAKE.—STORIES OF THE SEA-SERPENT.
"Where shall we go next?" one of the boys asked, as soon as they were safe on shore at Rangoon.
"That will depend on circumstances," the Doctor answered. "India and Ceylon are before us, and we must first see to which we can get with the least trouble and delay. We can find ships for Calcutta or Madras, I presume, and perhaps we may hit upon one that is ready to go to Ceylon. The latter would be preferable, as we can easily get from Ceylon to India, whereas it might be out of our way to go to Ceylon after seeing the peninsula of Hindostan. We will see what can be done."
The trio proceeded to their banker's, and asked about the possibilities of departure.
To their delight they ascertained that there was a steamer ready to leave for England with a cargo of rice, and she would stop for coal at Point de Galle, in Ceylon. She had accommodations for a few passengers—the banker they were visiting was agent for her—and it required but a short time for the whole business to be arranged. Doctor Bronson and the youths were booked for Point de Galle, and returned at once to their hotel to be ready to go on board as soon as the sun rose the next morning.
The steamer sailed promptly, and by noon they were out of the river and leaving the shores of Burmah behind them.
